How do you complain about conditions in the place of police custody and ask for compensation?
When arrested you are held in a police custody at the police premises. You have the right to be held in conditions that are not inhumane or degrading. Read more about the conditions in the place of detention.
Complaint to the Ministry of the Interior
If you believe that the conditions in the temporary place of detention violated your rights, you can complain about this to the Ministry of the Interior. If you believe that you have suffered any material or moral damages, you may claim compensation before a court of general jurisdiction in a procedure prescribed by the Contentious Civil Procedure Act.
Procedure at the Ministry of the Interior
When filing the claim, you should explain all the relevant facts, the type of violation, how it occurred and add evidence, if you have any. The police might ask you for more explanations or documentation, where necessary. You can read about how to submit a complaint on the website of the Ministry of the Interior.
Result of the complaint
You have the right to receive a response to your application in writing within 90 days.
Complaint to the Human Rights Ombudsperson
You can turn to the Human Rights Ombudsperson if you believe that the conditions in the temporary place of detention violate your rights or fundamental freedoms. In the complaint you must describe all the relevant facts. The procedure is free of charge.
You can read more about the Human Rights Ombudsperson and the complaint procedure.
Complaint to a health care institution
If you were seen by a doctor during your police custody period and you were not satisfied by the quality of the treatment received, you can submit a complaint to the health care institution that provided the treatment. The procedure for writing an application is explained on the Government website. The health care institution will consider your application free of charge, make a decision about the next appropriate step and ask you for further documentation, if necessary. The health care institution must respond to you within 15 days.